Rare Book Chat

In this episode, we explore a delightful tea party invitation that connects Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and Michael Faraday. The conversation then transitions to a rare first edition from 1832, which addresses a fundamental challenge in computational theory, one so perplexing that researchers have enlisted artificial ants to help sniff out a solution. For links to the items discussed in this episode, visit rarebookchat.com.

In this episode of Rare Book Chat, we're diving into the revolutionary impact of Bill James's work on baseball and far beyond. Known to us (with affection) as the "Pork and Beans Man," Bill James transformed the way we think about baseball analytics, introducing statistical evaluation in sports with his groundbreaking work, "The Baseball Abstract." We discuss a very rare 1978 printing of James’ Baseball Almanac (offered by Type Punch Matrix) and how James, as an outsider, reshaped the understanding of player value and the lasting influence his ideas had on the concept of "Moneyball."

As we celebrate the start of the World Series, we also meander through the fascinating world of rare baseball memorabilia. We discuss everything from a jaw-dropping $24 million Babe Ruth jersey to a valuable questionnaire filled out by Jackie Robinson. Throughout our conversation, we explore the intersection of sports, literature, and how printed documents can help us understand cultural movements.

In this episode we discuss the sale price of a the extremely rare ratification printing of the US Constitution sold at Brunk Auctions last week. Was $11M high or low? Listen to the episode to find out why it was probably a bargain.

In this episode of Rare Book Chat, hosts Michael DiRuggiero and Jeremy O'Connor discuss a rare ratification copy of the US Constitution with Seth Kaller, the pre-eminent dealer of rare and important American historical documents. The conversation explores the document's historical significance,  the complexities of its journey from creation to ratification, the role of compromise in the Constitution's formation, the importance of Charles Thompson's signature, and the implications of the auction for collectors and historians alike. 

In this episode of Rare Book Chat, hosts Jeremy O'Connor and Michael DiRuggiero explore the fascinating world of rare books, spotlighting three legendary first editions: Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, Karl Marx’s Das Kapital, and Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. They discuss what makes these books so valuable, why Jeremy thinks Das Kapital is cheap compared to the other two, Michael's regrets about not being a shepherd, and how these three authors shaped history. Along the way, they touch on the emotional side of book collecting and the lasting influence of these groundbreaking thinkers.

In this episode we discuss a wonderfully strange 1809 first edition that just might be the founding work of American literature … Jeremy then takes the conversation in a different direction by making a comparison with this book and the much-coveted and exceptionally valuable 1623 Shakespeare first folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare, and then we look at the current market for this strange 1809 book and find that, compared to other foundational works, it’s surprisingly affordable. As always, please check our website for links to the books we discuss. Enjoy!

Welcome to Rare Book Chat: In this episode we discuss Eleanor Roosevelt’s This I remember, a letter addressed to Jimmy, Einstein dancing in the multiverse, and the filthiest story ever told... Enjoy!

We have a very basic website up at rarebookchat.com, but please feel free to email us at [email protected]

Items discussed:

A special copy of Eleanor Roosevelt's This I Remember:
https://historical.ha.com/itm/books/martin-luther-king-jr-lyndon-b-johnson-and-eleanor-roosevelt-signed-copy-of-this-i-remember/a/6305-47200.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Letter from Gettysburg:
https://bid.fleischersauctions.com/lots/view/1-9JMEZH/gettysburg-vivid-soldiers-letter

Letter from Daniel Lipkin to Albert Einstein:
https://historical.ha.com/itm/autographs/inventors/albert-einstein-heavily-annotated-letter-on-the-subject-of-his-theory-of-generalized-gravitation-together-with-a-typed-letter-signed/a/6305-47174.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515

Marquis de Sade letter:
https://www.edition-originale.com/en/autograph-letters-manuscripts/literary-manuscripts/sade-lettre-du-marquis-de-sade-depuis-1801-85841

Dive deep into the fascinating world of rare books with Rare Book Chat. Hosted by Michael DiRuggiero and Jeremy O'Connor, the co-founders of The Manhattan Rare Book Company, this twice-weekly podcast explores the unique and often valuable items that fill the world of rare books, manuscripts, letters, photographs, archives, and more.

From historical documents to literary first editions, we'll discuss the stories behind these one-of-a-kind treasures. Join us as we explore the intricacies of the rare book trade and discover the hidden gems that await.